190E - loss of power

[pejames]

I have a 190E (1989) 2.0ltr petrol automatic which appears to have a similar problem those discussed by others. You can be driving along, as you do, and go to put your foot down and the car goes all jerky and there is no power. The best way of understanding this is to imagine a hosepipe with air in it, or if someone is squeezing it. However, if you pull over and turn the engine off for 10 seconds, it starts up and is fine. Away you go as if nothing has happened. One of these days its going to happen when I am overtaking and I will then be in big trouble.

The car has been to various electro-automotive specialists, had new air filters etc and recently new injectors, but no joy. Has anybody got a clue what could be causing this problem and how to fix it?

Many thanks.

P James

 

[pentoman]

If it's a 'violent' (i.e. very instant) loss of power - like the hose pipe analogy you describe, it's probably related to ignition rather than the fuel delivery.

It doesn't really sound like something a new air filter would fix??

It's hard to diagnose a problem like this over the internet, my best humble advice to you would be to locate a reputable independant garage and let them play with it - a good place should be experienced with things like the 'ol 190E. It's likely to be just one part that's the problem, and a good garage should spend time finding out which part it is (n.b. this can take time!) rather than open the bonnet for 5 seconds, stab in the dark with a comment like "it might be your air filter mate" and have you buy parts willy nilly, with no idea if they'll fix the problem.

good luck. And if they are good, remember to be thankful


Russell

 

[mantoles]

I have much of the same problem described above with my 1989 190E 2.6L. When I set my foot on the pedal I lose power intermiddently. This has been going on for a couple of months. I replaced the air filter, the fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, cap and rotor, as part of regular maintenance items.

I read somewhere about an over voltage protection relay been the issue. I drove into a Mercedes dealership and hooked the vehicle up to the diagnostics. The vehicle's computer did not record an error.

I replaced the over voltage protection relay yesterday. I got back on the highway and the problem showed up severely. I drove for 80 miles and it kept losing power. I stopped for four hrs and drove for another 100 miles and the problem went away.

This issue is so serious I am about to take one last stab at it with a fuel pressure check to see if the fuel pump is going out. The bad thing is that it only happens intermittently. Very hard to diagnose. Any ideas -hints will be appreciated.

 

[maiga]

Diagnostics?

My '88 2l model didn't have any capacity for diagnosis- are you sure 6-pot is different? It (mine) used to run like sh*te before the engine had warmed up- no power, much as you describe, and then cut out the moment you touched the gas pedal from standstill. This makes you no friends in the London rush-hour, or any hour for that matter.

Once you'd got it warmed up and happy, it would run fine for the rest of the day, then next morning or whenever, sick again.

Garage never did figure out exactly what was wrong, sometimes it got better and then fault would recur and never discovered any causal pattern. Felt like bad fuelling to me, but have never been brave enough to mess with injecty-things as opposed to carbs.

 

[mantoles]

diagnostics

I am pretty sure they hooked it up to the diagnostics computer. That is what I was told. I know I had a $175.00 bill after that.

 

[maiga]

Ouch!

Assuming $175 US, that's a lot of dough to be told that they don't know what's wrong. Especially if the car doesn't do diagnostics

Like the man said up there, a good independent garage with some Benz know-how is your friend, 'specially with a venerably ol' 190E.

I/someone else should run a poll on what age their Merc is before they'll stray from the dealership mechanics...

 

[mantoles]

ouch is correct

Yes I agree with you.

Sophronis

 

[Hibbo]

Assuming $175 US, that's a lot of dough to be told that they don't know what's wrong. Especially if the car doesn't do diagnostics

Like the man said up there, a good independent garage with some Benz know-how is your friend, 'specially with a venerably ol' 190E.

I/someone else should run a poll on what age their Merc is before they'll stray from the dealership mechanics...

Good poll idea!

I don't think I'll ever have one new enough to go anywhere near a stealership 'tech'.